ICCA Board Member Amy Asmus and CCA of the Year Bruce Baier

Iowa CCA board initiated the Iowa Certified Crop Adviser of the Year designation to recognize a member of the industry who exemplifies CCAs providing professional and effective “good advice” to clients.  Past recipients include Mike Gannon (2010) and Tracy Cameron (2011).

Baier, who lives in Alta, IA, has held numerous positions within Ag Partners over his more than 30 year tenure with the company.  Since 1997, Baier has focused on the design and development of what has grown into the seventh largest Precision Ag department in the United States with over 1 million acres as part of the program.  Baier also served previously on the ICCA board for seven years.

“Growers and peers alike appreciate and trust Bruce’s common sense approach to agriculture and the technologies that are utilized today,” said Roger Tietjens, past chair of the ICCA board, while recognizing Baier.

94 CCAs, including Baier, were also recognized for 15 years of service during the luncheon.  At the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference, hundreds of CCAs received continuing education training to maintain their certification.  AAI offered fourteen hours of continuing education units (CEUs) at the event and will offer six additional hours at summer sessions in 2012.  A CCA must accumulate a total of forty hours of CEUs every two years to remain a CCA.

Certified Crop Advisers utilize their skills in nutrient and pest management to assist growers with economical and efficient crop production.  They also ensure that growers are aware of regulations and utilize best management practices to protect the environment.

“Your status as a certified professional demonstrates your dedication to your profession, your employer and your client.  Being a CCA shows that you are willing to put in the extra work to get ahead in your field,” said Roger Tietjens, past chair of the ICCA board during the presentation.

CCAs will have the opportunity to participate in two days of education that will offer up to 14 CEUs by attending the seminars and workshops on Tuesday and having substantive conversations at vendor booths at the largest indoor field-day in the nation on  Wednesday.  Attendees will have the opportunity to earn six additional credit hours, FREE OF CHARGE at other CEU events through the year.  That is 20 CEUs at $10 per credit in one year!

The Agribusiness Showcase & Conference offers multiple educational opportunities while showcasing industry innovation and technology through featured speakers, presentations and exhibitors.  The Showcase & Conference is about giving agribusiness vendors and attendees the opportunity to explore the innovative tools they need to grow their business, now and into the future.

The 2012 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference will feature seminars and workshops focusing on the latest industry innovation and technology and the largest indoor field-day in the nation.   Experts from agribusiness, regulatory agencies and educational institutions will be presenting to attendees.  All speakers are nationally recognized in their profession.

Click here to download full event and registration details.  You may also register over the phone at 800-383-1628 or online at  www.agribizshowcase.com.

Self Reported CEUs are the same types of events as Board Approved, but the only difference is that a local CCA board did not review them. The CCA can “self” report the CEU using the online form. It must meet the same standards as a board approved event as far as content.

Self Study CEUs are written, video, online events that are not live events and must contain a quiz.

Self Directed Study are not accepted by the CCA Program, but are accepted by the CPAg and CPSS programs. In self directed study one learns completely on their own something related to being in the professional certification.

Self Directed and Self Reported are not the same thing. They do not equal.

Please congratulate the following CCAs for their ‘Years of Service’ to the industry.

LiDAR, or Light Detection And Ranging, creates an interactive topographic map by scanning the earth with lasers from an aircraft to obtain accurate elevations. While old 10-foot contour topographic data was accurate within 5 feet, LiDAR 2-foot contour data is accurate within 8 inches. The U.S. Geological Survey has conducted systematic accuracy testing on the data.

Iowans use LiDAR data for all kinds of planning, modeling and assessments, and they’re coming up with creative new uses all the time.

To learn more about LiDAR and downloading the data, please visit www.iowadnr.gov/mapping/lidar/ .

Then tell us how you use LiDAR by dropping us a line at Chris.Ensminger {at} dnr.iowa(.)gov.

These individuals help direct the Iowa Certified Crop Advisor program in the future. You, as an Iowa CCA, have the opportunity to run for two board positions by filling out the nomination form attached with this “Good Advice” newsletter.

Serving on the Iowa CCA Board is a rewarding experience; you’ll be able to lead the CCA program during the rapid changes going on in agriculture. Please take the time to consider serving on the Iowa CCA Board and helping emulate what being an Iowa CCA is all about! “Trusted Advice to Help You Grow”.

Are you interested in serving on the Iowa CCA Board? Attached is a nomination form for anyone who wishes to submit their name to serve on the Iowa CCA Board. We will be filling two 3-year terms. Current board members Bruce Baier and Pat Reeg will not seek re-election. Board terms will begin January 2011 and run through December 2013. The board meets quarterly and typically the meetings are in Des Moines. A board member is required to attend a minimum of three meetings each year. Board members will also be asked to help chair committees and/or task forces established by the board.

We are asking that all nominations be submitted to Joan O’Brien before November 5, 2010. Ballots will be e-mailed to all Iowa CCAs by November 12th and will need to be returned and postmarked no later than November 26, 2010; allowing the opportunity for new Board members to attend the December Board meeting.

Message to EPA Administrator Jackson Regarding Atrazine

The Iowa Certified Crop Advisers is encouraging its members to consider participating in a letter writing campaign regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) re-review of Atrazine. Iowa CCA typically stays neutral when an issue is product and/or company specific; however, the EPA’s unscheduled and rushed re-review of this crop protectant departs from the normal regulatory process and could set a poor precedent for the entire industry.

Iowa CCA is asking those who are concerned about the EPA’s rush to re-review and the potential precedents this could establish to sign a letter being sent to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

For more information and to read and/or sign the letter, please go to:http://agsense.org/take-action/.

How to Check your CEU Report

Iowa Certified Crop Advisers can review their CEU statement online by going to:https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/login/links/8. Log-in on the website by entering your email and password. Unless you have already changed your password, a default password has been set-up for you. The default password is your CCA certification number followed by the first initial of your first name.

If you find anything missing after reviewing your CEU statement, please fill out the form found at: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/continuing-education/missing-ceus.

CCAs can self report meetings by going tohttps://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/login/links/25.

If you have any questions, please contact your Certification Representative (for Iowa CCAs your representative is either Laurie, Marta, or Michele) at 866.359.9161.

• Bill Ehm, IDNR, Des Moines, 515.281.8656, william.ehm {at} dnr.iowa(.)gov
• Amy Asmus, Asmus Farm Supply, 641.566.3658, Rake, amy {at} afschem(.)com
• Bruce Baier, Co-Chair, Ag Partners LLC, Albert City, 712.843.5263, bbaier {at} agpartners(.)com
• Jason Dodd, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Johnston, 515.254.2725, Jason.dodd {at} pioneer(.)com
• Jim Frederick, Garst Seed Company, Orient, 641.337.5064, jim.frederick {at} garstseedco(.)com
• Jim Gillespie, IDALS-Soil Conservation Division, Des Moines, 515-281-7043, jim.gillespie {at} idals.state.ia(.)us
• Randall Law, AgSource Belmond Labs, Belmond, 641.444.3384, rlaw {at} agsource(.)com
• Joan O’Brien (State Agent), Des Moines, 800.383.1682, joano {at} agribiz(.)org
• Rich Pope, ISU, Ames, 515.294.5899, ropope {at} iastate(.)edu
• Pat Reeg, Chair, Iowa Soybean Association, Johnston, 515.276.1693, PReeg {at} iasoybeans(.)com
• R. Aaron Saeugling, Iowa State University, Creston, 641.782.8426, clonz5 {at} iastate(.)edu
• Duane Sand, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines, 515.288.1846, dsand {at} inhf(.)org
• Barb Stewart, NRCS, Des Moines, 515.323.2260, barb.stewart {at} ia.usda(.)gov
• Roger Taylor, Trelay Seed Company, Lancaster, 608.778.5106, rogert {at} trelay(.)com
• Roger Tietjens, United Suppliers, Mason City, 605.759.4810, rogertietjens {at} unitedsuppliers(.)com
  

for something new
Agribusiness Showcase & Conference
February 9-10, 2010
Varied Industries Building
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Des Moines, Iowa

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) is reinvigorating its annual show by creating an educational opportunity for Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) while showcasing industry innovation and technology.

CCAs will participate in two days of Continuing Educational Units (CEU) opportunities. The first day of the 2010 Agribusiness Showcase and Conference will offer up to 10 hours of CEUs through a traditional seminar-based setting. The CEU speakers will be selected with the input and assistance of the Iowa Certified Crop Advisers. In addition, on the evening of the first day AAI will hold a banquet in honor of the CCAs recognizing “years of service” in the profession with many of their employers in attendance. The banquet will take place at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Des Moines, Iowa.

The second day of the new 2010 Agribusiness Showcase and Conference will tentatively offer 5-6 CEU credit hours as part of an “indoor field-day.” This CEU event will allow CCAs to visit with vendors about emerging technologies, innovative applications, and cutting edge stewardship practices under the roof of the Iowa State Fairground’s 90,000+ square foot Varied Industries building, in the middle of Iowa’s winter.

The “indoor field-day” will require substantive conversations at vendor booths in exchange for CEU credit. An assessment will be completed by AAI staff after the event to determine what types of CEU credits individual CCAs will receive based on the vendor’s expertise (ex. water and soil) and the topic discussed.

The 2010 Showcase and Conference is February 9-10, 2010 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. Additional information and registration materials will soon be posted on the AAI website at: www.agribiz.org/showcase.

Integrated Crop Management Conference to be Held December 2-3, 2009

The 21st Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference (ICM) will be held December 2-3, 2009 at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The conference will feature 34 different workshops covering crop production information.

CCAs can receive up to 14 CEUs throughout the conference, choosing from as many as five topics each hour.

For more information and registration go to: http://www.aep.iastate.edu/icm/homepage.html.

An Online Resource That Simplifies Access to Agronomic Information

The Plant Management Network (PMN), a nonprofit online publisher of agricultural and horticultural resources, has launched a new Yahoo!-like portal to help busy crop professionals search university extension resources, find journal abstracts, browse news and research, and visit certification sites all from one place.

This portal is especially useful for crop advisers, agronomists, consultants or producers that search for specific agronomic information.

A free webinar to learn how to use this resource is being held Thursday, November 12, at 12:00 pm. CCAs who attend the webinar will receive 1.0 CEUs in professional development.

Sign up for the webinar by following this link: http://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=69518665&message_id=852995&user_id=Soc_Agrnmy and clicking on the “Register Now” button.

Iowa CCA Partners with Commodity Update

In order to bring an added value to your Iowa Certified Crop Advisers membership, the Iowa CCA has partnered with Commodity Update. Commodity Update provides commodity market updates by cell phone text message to interested parties each business day, and they will provide this service free for one year to Iowa CCAs – this is a $120 value!

Commodity Update supplies market updates for any exchange-traded commodities, and any contracts of those commodities up to nine times per day (it’s also possible to get market quotes instantly by dialing a toll-free number). Subscribers in Iowa typically receive the opening, midday and closing reports for the nearby and new-crop contracts of corn, soybeans and wheat, but each subscriber can choose the contracts, commodities and delivery times he/she desires. Allowing you to get the latest reports wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, because the cell phone usually goes where you go.

Registering for this free service is simple; just follow the link to an electronic sign-up form: www.CommodityUpdate.com/CCA. Once you have registered for Commodity Update you will be immediately added to their service. If you do not want to continue receiving Commodity Update’s services you can change or cancel your service at any time – instructions are provide after you register.

If you have any questions about Commodity Update and its services, please contact Mike Bock at 952-905-3211 or at mbock {at} bockreps(.)com .

I am excited to serve as your Chair of the Iowa CCA Board.  For those who don’t know me here is a quick background.  I grew up on a family farm near Bellevue, Iowa in Jackson County.  Graduated from Iowa State University in May of 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and completed a Masters of Science in Agronomy in May 2008.  I have worked for Servi-Tech, Neowa FS, Inc., and AgVantage FS, Inc.  I am currently the Technology Manager for the Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network®.  I have been a Certified Crop Advisor since December of 2001 and served on the Iowa CCA Board since June of 2006.

I became a CCA because I wanted the growers I work with to know they can trust my advice.  I serve on the Iowa CCA Board to increase the value of the CCA program.  As we enter the spring 2009 growing season with new challenges and opportunities I encourage all Iowa CCAs to play an active role in the program.  How can you contribute?

• Encourage employees, coworkers, colleagues and others who are not certified to become a CCA.
• Send in questions or ideas for questions that can be used to keep the Iowa CCA exam current and relevant. Email these to preeg {at} iasoybeans(.)com
• Share your upcoming meetings with CEUs to the following website so that we all have a wider variety of CEU options to choose from:http://iowacca.org/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,51/ .
• Join and participate in the “Iowa Certified Crop Advisers (CCA)” Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=160909490007.  Network with other CCAs and share what is happening in your area throughout the growing season.
• Become a member of the Iowa CCA Marketing Committee by contacting Randy Law at: rlaw {at} agsource(.)com . Work with Randy Law and the rest of the marketing committee as they continue to not just bring new ideas to the table, but implement those ideas into results.
• Become a candidate for the next Board of Directors seat – watch for announcements in future Good Advice issues.

As you can see, there are many opportunities for us as CCAs to add value to the Iowa CCA Program.  I thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Iowa CCA Board Chair.  Feel free to contact me directly with any thoughts, questions, or ideas.  Have a safe and successful 2009 growing season.

Best Regards,

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

EPA will now require a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) for manure to be submitted as part of a CAFO’s Clean Water Act permit application. Previous rules required a CAFO operator to use a NMP for controlling manure, but the revised regulation builds on that by requiring the NMP to be submitted with the permit application. The plan will be reviewed by the permitting authority and conditions based on it will be incorporated as enforceable terms of the permit. After reviewing the NMP, the permitting authorities are required to provide the public with an opportunity to review the NMP before it is finalized. The revised regulations also require that an owner or operator of a CAFO that actually discharges to streams, lakes and other waters must apply for a permit under the Clean Water Act. If a producer designs, constructs, operates and maintains their facility such that a discharge will occur, a permit is needed. These CAFOs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. EPA is also providing an opportunity for CAFO operators who do not discharge or propose to discharge to show their commitment to pollution prevention by obtaining certificates as zero dischargers.

The final rule includes technical clarification about water quality-based effluent limitations and use of best management practices to meet zero discharge requirements. EPA will work closely with states during implementation of the revised rules. The rule deadline for newly defined facilities to apply for permits is February 27, 2009, according to a recent EPA news release.

Here’s a bit of background, the EPA issued revised Clean Water Act permitting requirements and effluent limitations for CAFOs in February 2003. The requirements expanded the number of CAFOs required to seek National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and added requirements for land application of manure. In response to a court case, Waterkeeper Alliance et al. vs. EPA, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in 2005 ordering the EPA to address certain aspects of its Clean Water Act regulations pertaining to CAFOs. The EPA published proposed rules in June 2006, then again in March 2008, describing how it planned to address the court’s decisions. In October 2008, the EPA signed the final revised rules. The regulations will become effective 14 days after being published in the Federal Register.

The EPA estimates the new regulations will prevent 56 million lb. of phosphorus, 110 million lb. of nitrogen, and 2 billion lb. of sediment from entering streams, lakes and other U.S. waters annually.

Learn more about the revised CAFO rules online atcfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/cafofinalrule.cfm.